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Chief Chihota

Herald Reporter
Chief Chihota, Mr Fredereck Mapfumo Chigodora, has died.
He was 75. Chief Chihota died yesterday on the way to Harare Central Hospital after suffering a stroke. Director of Traditional Leaders Support Services in the Local, Government, Rural and Urban Development Ministry Mr Fanuel Mukwaira confirmed the death.

Chief Chihota’s son, Mr Raphael Chigodora, described his father as a quiet and humble person.
“He was a devout Catholic and a man who unified people in Chihota and Kambuzuma, where he lived for a long time. Chief Chihota, who became a substantive chief in 2007, was born on April 18, 1938 in Chihota. He was from the Chakabvapasi royal household which holds the Chihota chieftainship.

He was formerly a schoolteacher, a Roman Catholic catechist for more than 60 years and worked as an office administrator for 26 years. Chief Chihota did his education at Furamera School, St Paul’s Musami Mission and Kutama Mission up to standard six.
He did post-teaching law at Chishawasha Mission from 1955 to 1956 and taught at St Phillip’s Mbonje and Gukuta primary schools between 1957 and 1960.

Chief Chihota was a founder member of the All Saints Kambuzuma Roman Catholic Burial Society in 1968 and was appointed presiding officer of Chihota Community Court for Marondera District by the Government in 2010.

He also worked in several companies as a stores man, laboratory assistant and stock record supervisor.
He is survived by his wife, Martha, two children and six grandchildren.
Mourners are gathered in Chigodora Village, Chihota.